One of the best finger foods to serve at any event, big or small, is a ham and cheese sandwich. But what goes with this comforting sandwich? Here are 11 tasty ideas.
Ham and cheese sandwiches hold a dear place in my heart. They are a long-standing favorite of mine, in their savory and cheesy-delicious glory. They’re great as an appetizer, as the main course for a quick weeknight dinner, as a recipe for game day, or as a holiday meal.
Keep reading for lots of tasty suggestions on what to eat with ham and cheese sandwiches to make a full meal!
A piece of meat with a bone-in gives maximum flavor when cooking. The bone helps to cook slower and cook more evenly because the bone conducts heat.
Most hams in the U. S. are cured and fully cooked when sold. But hams that are served with glaze can take up to a few hours to heat up and be ready to eat.
For a bone-in ham, you should plan on about half a pound per person, and for a boneless ham, you should plan on a third of a pound per person. Some will eat more, some less, but because leftovers can be used to make so many tasty meals, it evens out.
Yes, any meat can be cooked from frozen. If you do this, you should allow about 50% more cooking time.
As a busy mom trying to get dinner on the table, ham sandwiches are one of my go-to quick and easy meals. A few slices of bread, some deli ham, cheese if I have it, and I can whip up sandwiches in minutes. But while the sandwiches themselves come together fast, I still like to serve them with tasty sides to make it feel like a proper meal.
Over the years, I’ve discovered so many delicious options for what goes good with ham sandwiches. From fresh salads to warm soups chips and dips hearty sides, and sweet treats, the possibilities are endless!
In this post, I’ll share my 22 favorite side dishes to serve alongside ham sandwiches. These are my family’s most requested pairings that add flavor, nutrition, and variety to this simple sandwich. With this list, you’ll never be stuck wondering what to make with ham sandwiches again!
Salads: Fresh and Colorful
Salads are a perfect light pairing with ham sandwiches. The fresh veggies, greens, and zesty dressings cut through the saltiness of deli ham for balance. Some of my favorites include
Chopped Salad
This salad combines romaine, chicken, bacon, blue cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and pasta tossed in a homemade blue cheese vinaigrette. It has everything I love in one bowl! The combination of flavors and textures goes so well with ham sandwiches.
Classic Coleslaw
Crunchy coleslaw with its sweet and tangy dressing is a classic sandwich companion. An easy homemade version uses shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a creamy dressing of mayo, vinegar, sugar, and spices.
Macaroni Salad
Pasta salads like macaroni salad add hearty carbohydrates to balance out a sandwich meal. Cooked macaroni, bell peppers, onion, celery, and sweet pickle relish get tossed in a creamy mayo-based dressing.
Caprese Salad
For a simple Italian-inspired salad, alternate fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction. The bright flavors pair nicely with any sandwich.
Dips and Snacks: Crunchy and Creamy
What’s a sandwich without some chips, pretzels or another crunchy snack on the side? Some of my favorite pairings include:
Hummus and Pita Chips
You can’t go wrong with classic hummus and pita chips or fresh veggie crudité. The creaminess of hummus perfectly balances salty ham. Garlic, lemon, and tahini hummus is my personal favorite.
Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
Creamy, fresh guacamole is another dip I love to serve with ham sandwiches. Homemade is simple with ripe avocados, tomato, onion, lime, cilantro, and jalapeño. Tortilla chips round out this Tex-Mex pairing.
Deviled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs, mayo, mustard, and spices – what’s not to love? Deviled eggs are easy to prepare ahead of time and make a tasty, protein-packed accompaniment to sandwiches.
Potato Chips
You can keep it classic with crunchy, salty potato chips. They add that satisfying crunch and sodium to complement the soft bread and ham. Ridged chips are my personal fave to load into a sandwich.
Hearty Sides: Warm and Comforting
Some days, I crave a heartier side beyond just salad with my ham sandwiches. Options like baked beans, potatoes, and mac and cheese really round out the meal.
Baked Beans
Is anything better with a ham sandwich than smoky, sweet baked beans? Kidney beans or pork and beans in a thick tomato-molasses sauce are so satisfying. You can spice them up however you prefer.
Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy potatoes au gratin make the perfect sandwich side. Sliced russet potatoes, cream, garlic, and cheese baked into a rich and irresistible casserole – sign me up!
Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves mac and cheese! Elbow pasta baked in a creamy cheese sauce is like the ultimate comfort food, especially with ham sandwiches. Add bacon or broccoli if you want some veggies.
###Soup
A bowl of hot soup completes a ham sandwich meal. Tomato, potato, chicken noodle, and vegetable are all easy options. Ladle it into a mug for dunking your sandwich.
Sweet Treats: Satisfy that Sweet Tooth
While they might not seem like an obvious pairing, I always crave something sweet after eating a salty sandwich. Fruity desserts, cookies and more balance it out nicely.
Fruit Salad
A fresh fruit salad made with bite-size pieces of whatever’s in season is a lighter option. The sweetness offsets salty meats and cheeses. Berry salads are my personal favorite.
Lemon Bars
These citrusy, tangy bars with their shortbread crust are an addictive treat. The tart lemon curd cuts through the richness of deli meats. They’re easy to make ahead too.
Cookies
You can’t go wrong with a classic chocolate chip cookie or peanut butter for dessert. The sweetness balances the savory sandwich flavors. Bonus if you have milk to dip them in!
Pie
A slice of fruit pie – apple, blueberry, cherry – makes a perfect sweet finish. The flaky crust and tart filling pairs deliciously with any sandwich filling. Make it mode á la mode with a scoop of ice cream!
Simple Dinner, Endless Possibilities
Deli ham sandwiches make dinner easy, but the possibilities for tasty sides are endless. Next time you’re meal planning, try out a new salad, dip, hearty side, or sweet treat from this list for the perfect ham sandwich meal. Mix and match to please your crowd and add variety at dinnertime.
How to Make Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
It’s also called a “tailgate sandwich” because these baked Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders are great for parties on game days. They are full of flavor and gooey cheese, and on top of the rolls is a buttery mixture with poppy seeds and Worcestershire sauce.
You can easily make ham and cheese sliders for your next party by putting these little sandwiches in a casserole dish and baking them in the oven.
What To Serve With Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
- A leafy green salad.
- Slow Cooker Hot Creamy Corn.
- You can serve baked beans or black beans as a side dish.
- cabbage that has been sautéed or another simple vegetable side dish like roasted vegetables or a simple vegetable tray
- Fruit salad goes great with these, especially if you serve them in the spring or summer.
- Hashbrown casserole or any potato casserole.
- Classic potato salad.
- Coleslaw.
- Pasta salad.
- Soup such as cheesy broccoli soup or chili.
- Baked cinnamon and apple slices.
- Creamy macaroni and cheese.
- Potato chips or French fries (regular or sweet potato fries).
This is the best chopped salad recipe you’ll find. It makes a large batch to enjoy for lunch throughout the week or serve at your next gathering.
How to make the perfect ham sandwich!
FAQ
What is a good side dish to eat with ham?
How to upgrade a ham sandwich?
What to eat with ham & cheese sandwiches?
Also great for lunch with sandwiches or a side salad for dinner! Creamy pasta salad is the perfect side dish for ham and cheese sandwiches, potlucks and tailgate parties. We love the herby, tangy dressing in this recipe!
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
What side dishes go with a ham sandwich?
In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for ham sandwiches. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with ham sandwiches are split pea soup, herb and mustard potato salad, kale chips, and Granny smith apple slaw.
What salad goes with a ham sandwich?
We’ve found the best pasta salads, coleslaws, potatoes, vegetables, and salads to pair with that delicious ham sandwich! This easy green Pea Salad is an old fashioned classic recipe served cold and enjoyed all year round. Made with bacon, cheddar cheese, red onions, and a sweet dressing, all in one bowl and in only 15 minutes!